Monoclonal anticolon carcinoma antibodies in complement-dependent cytotoxicity.

Hybridoma-derived monoclonal anticolon carcinoma (ACC) antibodies mediated specific complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) against human colon carcinoma cells either grown in culture or obtained directly from patients. These ACC antibodies did not lyse normal colonic mucosa or other normal and malignant human cells. Absorption of these antibodies to cells of established colon carcinoma cell lines totally eliminated their specific lytic capacity. ACC antibodies were able to bind in vivo to colon carcinoma cells grown in nude mice but did not bind to lung or kidney cells from tumor-bearing animals. These monoclonal antibodies did not, however, inhibit the growth of colon carcinoma tumor cells in nude mice.